But Adkins, 48, said he was totally focused on getting Reading's faltering promotion challenge back on track.

"A chancer puts on £25 and the bookie takes the odds all the way down," Adkins told BBC Radio Berkshire.

It's frustrating at the moment because we're not used to losing games of football, but all you can do is keep working very, very hard

Reading manager Nigel Adkins

The Royals have won only one of their last six league games and slipped to ninth in the Championship.

"All my focus and energies are on trying to do what's right at Reading Football Club," Adkins said.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes to get the future right, and obviously we're in the transfer window now, indicating there's a lot going on because we've got to get our league campaign back on track."

With reports that majority owner Anton Zingarevich is ready to sell up, Reading have been looking for new investors for several months and have held talks with more than one party. A bid from an American consortium is believed to be imminent.

The uncertainty means it is unclear whether Adkins will be given the funds to strengthen his squad during the current transfer window, something he would clearly like to do.